STUDENT PROFILES

Check out these eclectic student profiles, illustrating the diverse academic courses, co-curriculars, clubs, sports and leadership experiences O’Dowd offers. One thing these students have in common is they are all Dragon Ambassadors – helping students and families get to know O’Dowd and decide if we’re the right fit for you!

ELLA

“When I came to O’Dowd, I wasn’t much of a reader. But the passion the teachers brought to class was contagious, and the way we got to connect literature to our own experiences made me love reading. I’m a peer tutor in English now, and I’m hoping to go into environmental or political journalism.”

Courses: Honors Geo-History, Honors English 1, Honors Geometry, Advanced Spanish 2, Honors English 2, Honors Spanish 3, Advanced Algebra II/Trig, Honors Chemistry, Honors Pre-Calc AP English & Composition, AP US History, AP Spanish Language
Next Year: AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Calc B/C
Clubs: Bay Area Student Activists
Sports: Lacrosse and Water Polo
Co-Curriculars: Peer Tutoring, Debate, Dragon Ambassadors
Service Learning Projects: Grand Lake Gardens, ZooCamp, AWARE Whistler Project Now
Work Experience: Summer Staff Counselor, Piedmont Recreation Department
Awards: Honor Roll, NCS Scholar Athlete Award, Academic Department Awards for Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry, Honors Spanish III, Advanced Spanish II

ABHI

“My family is Hindu, and I was raised with strong values of treating others with kindness and living a just life. At O’Dowd, I got to study how the Bible also preaches and teaches justice. And then I got to put those values into action, by working with local gardens that grow food for low-income families. I love how our community works together to help others.”

Courses: Honors English 1, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, AP English Language and Composition, AP Calculus BC, Honors Chemistry
Clubs: Pre Pre-Med Club
Sports: Cross-Country
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Symphonic Band, Advanced Jazz Band
Service Projects: Alameda Point Collaborative’s Ploughshares Nursery, City Slicker Farms, Smithsonian Digital Volunteers
Awards: Outstanding Academic Excellence Award, Hope of America Award

LYDIA

“My first community Mass at O’Dowd, the sense of belonging and welcome was so strong. At O’Dowd, our shared values and connection to Catholic faith inspires me. I love how everyone is empowered to bring their gifts to the community. We’re stronger together because of that.”

Courses: Honors GeoHistory, Honors English 1, Honors Geometry, Honors English 2, Advanced Spanish 2, Honors Algebra 2/Trig, Psychology at College of the Siskiyous, AP Calculus AB, AP US History, Honors Spanish 3, Honors Chemistry, AP Statistics
Clubs: Asian Student Alliance, Latinos Unidos
Sports: JV and Varsity Volleyball
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors
Service Projects: Carlton Senior Living Center, San Leandro Library Summer Reading Program
Leadership Positions: O’Dowd Volleyball Team Captain (9th Grade and JV), Assumption 7th Grade Volleyball Coach
School Trips: Yosemite Science Trip
Awards: Presidential Merit Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish, California Scholarship Federation, O’Dowd First Honor Roll, CIF President’s List, CIF Distinguished Scholastic Team

SAM

“I’ve learned so much about leadership as the captain for the volleyball team. Before O’Dowd, I didn’t see myself as a leader. But now I know how important it is to be part of something bigger than myself, how it feels to help others. In college, I’m going to study economic and political science, because I want to be a progressive politician and give back to my community.”

Courses: Honors English 1-3, AP Human Geography, Honors Chemistry, Honors Geo-History, AP Calculus AB, AP Stats, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature, AP CSP
Clubs: Jewish Club
Sports: Football, Waterpolo, Volleyball
Co-Curriculars: Dragons Ambassadors
Service Projects: Jewish Youth for Community Action
Leadership Positions: Varsity Volleyball Captain
Work Experience: Mills College Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, Safeway Courtesy Clerk

NEKAY

“At O’Dowd, you definitely create your own path. I found through exploring different courses that I want to be a social entrepreneur, and I like Macroeconomics and Finite Math because they give me the concrete skills I need to create products and services for social good. I’m going to Loyola Marymount to major in business.”

Courses: Honors Chem, AP US History, AP Computer Science, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics
Clubs: Cooking for Courage, O’Dowd Climate Coalition, Badminton Club, Dragon Democracy
Sports: Tennis
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Mock Trial
Extra-Curriculars: Cinnamon Girls Leadership Organization
Service Projects: The Watermark by the Bay, Tough the Earth, Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals.
Work Experience: Silvermoon on Lakeshore

WILLIAM

“I took Science and the Environment in the 9th grade, and I really enjoyed it. So the next year I took Biology and Honors Chemistry. And now this year I’m taking AP Biology and Environmental Science. It’s cool how we can customize our course load at O’Dowd, because I’ve been able to see how much I like science and to keep exploring that.”

Courses: Honors English 1, Honors Geometry, Honors Geo-History, Honors English 2, Honors Algebra 2/Trig, Honors Chemistry, Honors Spanish 3, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Spanish Language, AP Physics, AP Calculus AB, Advanced Spanish 1, Advanced Spanish 2
Clubs: Chicken Tenders
Sports: Baseball
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Admissions Panelist, Racial Justice Group
Service Projects: Lakeside Park Student Volunteer, Future Star Baseball Camp Counselor, North Oakland/South Oakland Little League Volunteer, Tilden Park Little Farm Volunteer
Awards: Spirit of the Dragon Award, Social Studies Departmental Award, Scholar-Athlete Award, Math Departmental Award, Spanish Departmental Award, O’Dowd First Honor Roll

YSABELLA

“I see faith wherever I go at O’Dowd. I see it when we’re in the Living Lab, caring for creation. I see it when we pray together before a game, and when we see the expressions on the crowd’s faces when we score. I see it when we have food and supplies drives. I see it in the classroom, when we’re learning together. I see faith everywhere, and that’s what builds and strengthens our community.”

Courses: AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Chemistry
Honors Spanish 3, AP Calculus AB, AP Environmental Science, AP American Government
AP Macroeconomics
Clubs: Latinos Unidos, Smiles 4 Kids, Disability Awareness Club, Polynesian Club, Filipino Club, Surf Appreciation Club, Pre Pre-Med Club
Sports: JV Volleyball, JV Waterpolo, Varsity Rugby
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Student Council Vice President, Student Council President
Service Projects: Bilingual Tutoring, Friends Project, Ancestors Project
Leadership Positions: Smiles 4 Kids Club Co-Founder, Rugby Co-Captain
Work Experience: Sephora and Shoe Palace
Awards: Honor Roll, “Best Defensive Player” Waterpolo Award, Rugby Coaching Award

DORIAN

“I came to O’Dowd because the art program is strong. I’m focused on graphic design and painting. My art teachers have given me a lot of freedom to express myself. It’s empowering. I’ve been able to share my work in The Muse, which is the student-edited art and literary journal. My dream career is to work at Pixar and make short films about climate change.”

Courses: Advanced Spanish 2, Honors Spanish 3, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Stats, AP Arts
Clubs: Dragon Democracy, Latinos Unidos, Social Media Team
Sports: JV Soccer
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors
Service Projects: Supporting Title 1 Students in Alameda Unified School District, Meaningful Teens, Saint Vincent’s Day Home
Leadership Positions: Social Media Captain, Dragon Democracy Co-Leader
Awards: Academic Excellence in Mathematics, First Honor Roll

MARY

“Because of my classes I was inspired to start a student-led organization called ImpactZ. At O’Dowd, what we learn is tied to global and social issues, and that gets my passion fired up. Through ImpactZ, I’ve helped my peers rise up and lead, speaking their mind at Oakland town halls and other public spaces. I’m proud that we can showcase the strength of our generation.”

Courses: AP Mandarin, AP Human Geography, AP Computer Science Principle, Geometry with Advanced Algebra 1, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP English Language & Literature, Honors Pre- Calculus
Clubs: Dragon Democracy Club, Polynesian Club, Red Cross Club
Sports: Varsity Golf
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassador, Peer Tutor, National Honors Society
Leadership Positions: Co-Founder ImpactZ, Dragon Ambassador Captain, Student Council Class Representative (10th and 11th grade), Dragon Democracy Treasurer
Extra-Curriculars: Stanford Daily Journalist, UC Berkeley Girls Teach Girls To Code, Humane Society Animal Counselor, Junior Golf Coach, “Day By Day” Golf Blog Founder and Writer

ABBEY

“At O’Dowd there are opportunities to push yourself. I want to pursue a career in medicine and I went into Chemistry not knowing anything. Lots of times I stayed after class for help in Biology. There is a lot of support. Don’t think you can’t do it because the whole community will help you succeed.”

Courses: Honors French 3, Honors Chem, AP French, AP Human Geo, AP Psych, AP Environmental Science
Clubs: Dragon Democracy, Eco Club, Jewish Club, Italian Club
Sports: Track and Field, Cross-Country, Tennis
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Student Council
Extra-Curriculars: Nonprofit Fundraising, Tutoring Young Kids, Guitar, Golf, Published Writer
Service Projects: Alameda Food Bank, AgeSong Woodpark Senior Living Volunteer, Bay Trash Cleanup, Homeless Assistance Event Volunteer, Pet and Wildlife Fund
Leadership Positions: 10th Grade Student Representative
Work Experience: Camp Kee Tov Counselor

KONOA

“O’Dowd has asked me to experiment with different experiences so I can discover what I really want to do. My friends have been gateways to new opportunities that I wouldn’t have joined on my own. I’ve uncovered a newfound love for volleyball, and how much I enjoy talking to prospective families and students as a Dragon Ambassador. I learned to always take new chances as they arise.”

Courses: Honors Geometry, Honors English 1, Advanced Spanish 1, Honors Geo-History, Honors Algebra 2/Trig, Honors English 2, Advanced Spanish 2, Honors Chemistry, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Spanish 3, AP US History, AP US and Comparative Government, AP Calculus BC, and AP Chemistry
Clubs: Asian Student Alliance, Red Cross Club
Sports: Volleyball
Co-Curriculars: Dragon Ambassadors, Advanced Jazz Band, Jazz Combo
Service Projects: YMCA Youth Basketball Volunteer, Trackers Bay Summer Camp Counselor-in-Training, Library of Congress Volunteer
Extra-Curriculars: Acoustic and Electric Guitar
School Trips: Belize Science Trip, Close-Up US Government Trip in Washington D.C.
Awards: 1st Honors, 2nd Honors

SOPHIA

“O’Dowd helped me find my love of working with kids. For my service learning project I tutored kids in need, and it informed my consciousness. I found how much I like to help others succeed. I felt empowered knowing I had a purpose, to be a role model for younger kids. Now I just want to keep reaching back to my community. It’s been an amazing experience.”

Courses: Honors English 2, AP English Language and Composition, AP Psychology, Honors French 3, Honors Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP French
Clubs: Jewish Club, Latinos Unidos, Pre Pre-Med Club, Positivitea Club, The Business Club, What’s the Buzz, Gender and Racial Justice Club
Sports: Tennis
Service Projects: Children’s Activities Leader at Beth Jacob Synagogue, Counselor In-Training at Camp Edmo, Counselor In-Training at Camp Galileo, Volunteer at Lakeside Park Retirement Home, Aspire Education Reading Tutor
Leadership Positions: Jewish Club President, Dragon Lair Leader
Extra-Curriculars: Chapter Board Member, National Conference of Synagogue Youth East Bay (NCSY), Diller Fellow for the Diller Foundation Teen Fellowship, Israel Advocacy Program (NCSY), Teen Advocacy Program (NCSY)
Awards: Honor Roll, Academic Excellence Awards in English, Religion, History, and Math, 201 Award (for completing more than 201 hours of community service), California Scholarship Federation Active Member, Campus Leadership Award, Voted “Most Likely to Cheer You Up” in Varsity Tennis, East Bay WACC JV Jamboree Women’s Tennis Doubles Final Winner